News

unstealable bike

Author:Finehope

Source:Finehope

Release on :2015-11-17

A trio of Chilean
engineers say they have found a way to thwart determined thieves with what they
claim is the world's first 'unstealable bike.'

The
design, called the Yerka, looks like an average bike, but the bottom tube of
the frame can be split into two parts and wrapped around a pole. According its
creators, the frame can be dismantled and reconnected to make a lock in just 10
seconds. Once the bike's seat tube forms a lock, the only way to steal the bike
would be to cut through it, destroying it in the process.

The
Yerka is the creation of Cristóbal Cabello, 22, Andrés Roi Eggers, 23 and Juan
José Monsalve, 24. The design was first announced in November, but last week, the
team said they had put in their first order to produce 300 Yerkas.

While
an investment of $100,000 from a state enterprise fund helped the project
along, they raised most of their funds on crowdfunding site Indiegogo. The
start-up sold the first 100 bikes for $400 then increased the price to $500. In
future it will rise to $600, according to a CNN report.

While
they call it the world's first unstealable bike, critics have previously said
the lock could be picked or the bike easily destroyed. Thieves might also be
happy simply to get the handlebars or front wheel.

But
the team say that if they weren't working on something as revolutionary as
this, they would have their critics. They also add that the wheels have
anti-theft nuts that can only be opened with a special key.

The
designers are now working on an app that will let users open up their bike
using the smartphone.